Category Archives: constituency

“My word, there’s Boris!” Back in the constituency in Goring-on-Thames today for a very rapid walkabout gathering the views and listening to the needs of residents ahead of this week’s election that will see a successor take over the Henley seat. Thanks for sending the picture, Brian.

Jacqueline Alexander shot and edited this video of Boris responding to some noisy wellwishers after his resignation: Farewell Henley The appearance was also a chance for Boris to ‘introduce’ John Howell as the chosen Conservative candidate for the by-election to be held on 26 June.

Admitting that, “these last seven years have been the happiest and most productive of my professional life,” and that he is proud not to have missed “a single constituency engagement” in the last few months, Boris has sent a survey form to constituency residents asking for feedback on issues of local importance. Known as he is for listening and for talking with people wherever he goes within the constituency, this form is intended to reach even more people so please do complete and return it. (And, of course, add your views here!)

As interested as ever in new means of communicating with constituents, Boris was delighted this week to be the Henley Standard’s interviewee for the paper’s inaugural online video. With typical onscreen energy, he acknowledged that he will soon be moving on, praised Henley for its cultural and sporting life and congratulated the paper for its reporting and technological initiative.

In readiness for Boris standing down, it has been announced that Cllr. Dr John Howell, a former partner at City accountant Ernst and Young, was chosen from a shortlist of three. Mr Howell said it was a “huge privilege” to have been selected and he is to spend time talking with and meeting as many constituents as possible before the anticipated by-election.

Despite his massive London commitments, Boris is still (somehow) fitting in his constituency work. See this week’s Henley Standard where he is reported at two quite different Watlington events: one reopening the Watlington Memorial Club and the other welcoming the new M40 Watlington-London bus route that should ease the daily commute for many.

Checkendon Post Office and shop is, as reported, safe for the next few years but elsewhere in the constituency the fight continues. Boris joined Danny Goffey, the drummer of Supergrass, to support the post office at Stanton St John and, at Crowmarsh, he told a crowd of about 200 protesters that they need their Post Office and “I will do everything I can to help you keep it”. The Post Office consultation period ends on March 17th so do send Boris (or the Post Office) comments and ideas soon if you are in the affected areas.

ThamesNews.net has a report on the clear letter of support that Boris recently sent to Parish Councils in his constituency affected by the Government proposal to expand Oxford and build on Green Belt land. Boris is pursuing this matter within Westminster, calling for the protection of the Green Belt to be maintained and for an end to the delay in making a decision that is affecting so many.